His eyes darkened even more than they already were. “Make yourself at home.”
“Thanks,” she whispered.
Then, because she didn’t really know what else to say, Sophie spun on the balls of her feet and headed for the bathroom.
After taking full advantage of Jason’s enormous, custom shower with all the bells and whistles, she dried off and got re-dressed in the scrubs Olivia had procured for her. quickly using the new toothbrush Jason had told her about last night, Sophie found a comb and ran its teeth through her thick, damp hair.
Deciding to let it air dry, she put everything back in its place and headed downstairs to the kitchen.
“Something smells amazing.” She found Jason standing at the stove. He was wearing a pair of well-worn jeans and a hoodie.
This was a side of him she never knew existed, and though she didn’t understand it, the casual, laid-back look did funny things to her insides.
Good grief, Sophie. It’s just a hoodie.
Ignoring her inner voice—because hoodie or not, he looked damn fine—she made her way over to the pot full of freshly brewed coffee.
“What are you making over there?” She filled the mug he’d set out for her to just below the rim.
“Ham, egg, and cheese crepes. I also have sauteed mushrooms, fresh spinach, and green onions if you’d like me to add any of those to yours.”
“Wow.” She found herself saying that a lot around this man. “When you offered breakfast, I pictured something easy, like scrambled eggs and toast.”
“Crepes are easy,” he commented. “If you know what you’re doing.”
Walking over to him, she glanced over his shoulder and watched the magic happen. Sophie knew her way around the kitchen, as well. But she was more into baking than cooking.
“You want any of the added fillers, or just the ham, egg, and cheese?”
“Um...” She bit her bottom lip while looking at the selections. “I’ll take some spinach and mushrooms, please.”
“You got it.” He winked.
Leaning her back against the counter near the stove, she took a sip of her steaming beverage. Closing her eyes, she moaned. “I swear, there’s nothing better than that first sip of coffee in the morning.”
Sophie nearly spilled her coffee when she felt Jason’s lips on hers. With a start, she opened her eyes in time to see him pulling back, licking his lips as he moved.
“You’re right.” His gaze smoldered. “Nothing better.”
“Okay, seriously. How is it you’re single?”
The question just slipped out. An innocent comment meant to be funny and lighthearted. But the way Jason’s expression fell told her it had been anything but.
He returned his focus to their breakfast, flipping one of the crepes in the pan.
Sophie watched as he continued cooking the delicious-looking food in silence. Minutes passed, the uncomfortable quiet filling her stomach with dread.
When she couldn’t take it anymore, she told him, “I’m sorry if I offended you. That wasn’t my intention.”
Scooping two twin crepes onto the plate waiting to the side, Jason turned off the burner and set the spatula back into the empty pan.
With a sigh, he turned to her, his eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and trepidation.
“I’m the one who needs to apologize. I haven’t been completely honest with you about why I don’t date. Why I live in this big house alone, and why I’ve kept my distance where you’re concerned.”
Though she was dying to know what he’d been keeping from her, Sophie said, “Jason, really. You don’t have to—”
“I do, actually.” He picked up the plate with their food and motioned toward the table on her left.